The head of Audi’s RS performance division admits that electrification of it cars in the future is inevitable.

Asked by CarAdvice if Audi’s RS-producing division Quattro GmbH could continue to make naturally aspirated or turbocharged models without electrification in the future, Heinz Hollerwerger said it was unlikely.

The tightening emission laws will require vehicles to emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2020, a regulatory nightmare for performance car manufacturers.

“Really, to reduce below 100g, we have to add some kind of electrification,” Hollerwerger said, before adding that he was open to the concept of electrification.

“I think so. The question is, in which way? We could not exclude electrification and we would not exclude electrification. I think it’s a technology that gives some additional performance [as well as emission benefits].”

Hybrid is also not out of the question, particularly with the upcoming 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine in the all-but-confirmed RS3.

“There’s no technical reason there couldn’t be a five-cylinder hybrid.”